The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has apprehended Rakesh Ranjan, also known as Rocky, purportedly the mastermind behind the NEET paper leak case, as per sources on Thursday afternoon. Ranjan has been remanded to the agency’s custody for 10 days. Concurrently, the CBI is conducting raids at four locations – two near Patna in Bihar and two near Kolkata in West Bengal – related to the investigation.
Over a dozen individuals, including the principal and vice-principal of a school in Hazaribagh, Jharkhand, have been arrested thus far in connection with what is being investigated as a nationwide racket involving the leaking of question papers for competitive exams like NEET.
Aside from Rocky, the CBI has arrested eight others in connection with the case. The agency has filed six FIRs so far, including five pertaining to incidents in Bihar.
Sources within the CBI informed that the origin of the NEET paper leak may trace back to the Hazaribagh school. According to officials, nine sets of exam papers meant for the May 5th NEET exam were delivered to a State Bank of India branch for safekeeping two days prior. Subsequently, two sets reached the Oasis School in Hazaribagh, designated as an exam center, with their seals already broken upon arrival.
While the exact point of leakage remains unclear, CBI sources indicate it could have occurred either at the bank branch during transit to the school or at the school itself.
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NEET-UG is an exam crucial for admission to undergraduate medical courses. The controversy erupted last month following the declaration of results, primarily due to an unusually high number of perfect scores. This led to scrutiny over the awarding of ‘grace marks’ to 1,563 students, a move contested by the NTA (National Testing Agency).
The matter has now reached the Supreme Court, which has issued notices to the NTA. In response, the NTA has denied allegations of a NEET paper leak on Telegram, dismissing the circulated images as fabricated. They also clarified that no question paper was reported missing and no paper seals were broken in Bihar.
The Supreme Court, while considering petitions seeking cancellation of the NEET-UG 2024 exam, expressed reluctance to order a re-test for the millions of students unless absolutely necessary, acknowledging the financial burden it would impose, particularly on economically disadvantaged students.
